Mulamoottil Eye Foundation

Mulamoottil Eye Foundation was established in the year 2002 in memory of Late Mulamoottil Mathen Mathai, renowned Eye Physician (1855-1934).

Inspired by the legacy of his great grandfather, Dr. Ashley Thomas Jacob set up the modern eye care centre - the Mulamoottil Eye Hospital at Kozhencherry, Kerala, India in 2003 with various Ophthalmologic departments.

Objectives

Establish a world-class Eye Bank

Provide free corneal transplant surgeries

Promote Eye Donation

Provide scholarships to bright young Ophthalmologists for higher training

Establish a Bsc Optometry school

Provide free consultation services through internet

Organize school based eye camps for promoting good eye-health in children

Activities

Eye bank has been established in association with Mulamoottil Eye Hospital and the same is affiliated to Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI, Hyderabad)

Eye Donation FAQ

Eye donation is an act of donating one's eyes after his/her death. Only corneal blinds can be benefited through this process and not in other cases of blindness. It is a voluntary act. A person wishing to donate eyes should make close family members aware of their intentions. After the death of the person, it is the family who can inform the nearest eye bank to fulfill the wishes of the deceased.

An Eye Bank is a charitable organization and is not for profit. They are purely functioning for the benefit of the society. The eye banks facilitate removal of eyes, processing of eyes and evaluation of the eyes and distribute them to the needy.

A special Toll free number 1919 (BSNL) nationwide has been allotted for eye banks. Most of the eye banks all over the country have this number, once information for eye donation is communicated to eye banks; the eye bank sends its team to collect the eyes. By calling this number, details about eye donation can also be obtained. Also, all local newspapers carry the eye banks number in their Emergency Number list.

The eye bank personnel would give directions and precautions to be taken. The process of removing eyes does not take more than 15 to 20 minutes. The eye bank team can come either to the house where death has taken place or to the hospital where death has taken place to remove the eyes there. It would not delay the funeral arrangements.

Eye Banks are covered under "Transplantation of Human Organs Act" since 1994. It is a criminal offence to buy or sell organs. The Government issues a certificate of registration to eye banks and has a provision to inspect them regularly. In case a complaint is filed against any eye bank, the Government can take legal action.

Cornea is the transparent layer over the pupil of our eyes. It is the focusing surface where light rays converge as they enter the eye to focus on the retina. Loss of transparency of the cornea results in loss of vision.

Any individual can donate his/her eyes without considering age, sex or social status. It doesn't matter if you wear glasses, have had an eye surgery or suffering from systemic diseases. Even blind persons owing to retinal or optical nerve diseases can donate eyes, if the cornea is clear.

No fee is charged from the donor or his family. Upon information on the donor's death, the nearest eye bank will rush a doctor to the home of the deceased and collect the cornea. The collection procedure will take only minutes.